I am out of shape, drank too much this summer and am turning 40 in November.

If it sounds as though I am being dramatic and fishing for compliments, believe me, I fish not.

Let me begin by clarifying that it is not that I drank too much in one sitting night after night, just more than I have normally (or at least since I turned 30). A six-pack of Corona looked like such a tasty treat at the grocery store, that I almost always put it in my cart along with my vegetables and fruit. In the summer it is a guarantee that margaritas will be my craving and sipping a beer while sunbathing on a Saturday…and Sunday…is not beyond my reality. I usually don’t drink at all during the week, yet on some days I could be found patting myself on the back for going a couple of nights sans cervesa.

As for turning 40, I am not opposed to getting older, but I must admit that the actual number looks ominous to me…Like it doesn’t belong next to my name or go with my hair.

I get many an eye roll when I shamefully admit being in horrible shape. People assume that being thin means being in good physical condition, and I am here to tell that could not be further from the truth. At present, I am weak as a kitten and have the endurance of sedentary sloth.

This fall, I am putting an end to this nonsense. My battle plan has already been put into action and consists of the following:

To start, I am doing a very mild cleanse called New Start which I got from www.mercola.com. I love Mercola’s products, especially the Krill Oil which is the best Omega-3 anti-inflammatory I have ever taken. The cleanse is one that is done at dinner time and ‘works while you sleep.’ I was initially worried that I might soil the sheets at three in the morning or have some unpleasantly momentous morning. None of this has happened thankfully and I am a week in to this 10-day system. However, I find that I think of food almost constantly.

With that, I put myself on the wagon so the cleanse can effectively do its job of making my liver happy again.

My meals are frequent and healthy, including eating two apples a day!

The lights are out no later than 10:30pm (although some nights I am done and asleep by 9:00p… don’t judge me).

My skin is even receiving a new routine with the Roc Multi-Correction Skin System (www.rocskincare.com/multi-correxion). I can’t sense a change as all I see are the flaws, but maybe someone else can. I do feel satisfied when my skin tingles after I apply the night cream, confirming that wrinkles are being stopped before they can begin!

Drinking up to three litres of water a day has been a standard for a while, but for some reason, it seems to taste better these days. I have a BPA free Nalgene on my desk that I fill three times a day.

Getting my fitness routine back in has been quite humbling. I began by taking a Cardio Kickboxing class at the East Coast United Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Boxing in Fairfield, CT (www.ecuffld.com). In truth, I had no business taking this class that was taught by Alex, one of the owners (and an accomplished fighter), who is not too far removed from Ivan Drago. If you don’t believe me, check out their site for proof (and the amazing class schedule for adults and kids): Needless to say the class kicked my hide and I had difficulty walking the following week. I saw Alex yesterday and told him I was coming Tuesday: “Blah, blah, blah… I believe when I see… you are a wimp!” I did not disagree with the ‘wimp’ accusation but assured him I would be there Tuesday (please pray for me…).

Along with that, I have given hot yoga a try at Fairfield Hot Yoga... just because I can. I like the sweat effect and they offer Vinyasa, which is perfect for me. The facility is really cool and there is quite a variety of different classes to try: (www.fairfieldhotyoga.com).

I have not made as much of a habit at hitting my regular gym, (www.theedgefitnessclubs.com), but plan to add that to my weekend schedule… in between teaching MELT, laundry, homework, cooking, cleaning and football (watching, not playing).

Of course, I MELT and I have made it part of my morning routine, whether I want to or not. I can talk myself out of just about anything, including MELTing, which is just plain silly considering how great it makes me feel. Recently, I became an Advanced MELT Instructor by getting trained in the MELT Strength Series, which integrates proper muscle timing along with hip and shoulder stability. I have made a point of incorporating various Strength routines into my morning MELT to get me through a 9.5 hour day of sitting in a chair and typing at a computer.

November 26th, 2010 begins a new decade for me, and at that point I plan to be, if not at the top of my game, at least 80% of the way there. The tricky part will be staying there once the cold rolls in, making my desire to nest in my little apartment all the stronger.

Consistency is one of the keys to longevity. My short term goal is really intended to be the long term goal of approaching 90, looking and feeling great. Unless I get hit by the proverbial bus, living to be a hot & healthy elder is where it is at for me.